The craft of gold leaf gilding, in which thin sheets of pure gold with a small amount of silver, copper, or other metals are applied to objects for embellishment, dates back over 4,000 years. This technique has been used throughout history to decorate interiors around the world. Gold foil was first applied to wood in Northern Africa in order to give the illusion of solid gold. During the reign of Cleopatra, gold leaf gilding was used to adorn palaces and temples. In the early eighteenth-century, Louis XIV used gold foil to establish France as a leader in the decorative arts.

In modern architecture and design, gilding adds an element of glamour and sophistication to interiors. When used on walls, ceilings, and in architectural details, gold and silver leaf brings a luxurious touch to a wide range of spaces. Schumacher offers authentically made and exquisitely crafted gold and silver leaf wallcoverings that are perfect for classic and contemporary interiors alike.

View the artisanal process used to create Gold Leaf Wallcovering…

From shoes to handbags, leopard accessories add an element of excitement to trusted basics. Timeless spots aren’t just for the fashion forward, using animal prints in interior spaces can add a dash of danger and a whole lot of glamour.

• Randolph

• Samburu

• Safari Epingle

Enter Your Design for a Chance to Win

Schumacher is inspired by your interiors. This spring, we would love to see how our wallcovering fits into your designs. Submit your favorite projects featuring our iconic wallcoverings for the chance to receive a $200 credit on your next order. The contest winner and three finalists will be featured on the Schumacher blog.

To enter, email whatsnew@fsco.com with images of your installation featuring Schumacher wallcovering (no larger than 5MB total), a brief description of your project, inspiration behind your selection, your contact information and a recent headshot.

Deadline: April 29, 2011

Featured Above: Imperial Trellis, Custom Color. Interior Design by Slifer Designs of Edwards, Colorado. Contact Schumacher Contract/Custom for more information on custom made products.

Contest will close on April 29, 2011 at 12:00pm ET. Winners will be announced the week of May 9th. Credit valid only on full price fabric, wallcovering, trimming and furnishings. Offer does not apply to closeout or discounted Schumacher merchandise and excludes orders placed on Patterson, Flynn & Martin products. Entrance only valid for designers holding active Schumacher trade accounts. Schumacher maintains the right to use images submitted on http://whatsnew.fschumacher.com.

With the Royal Wedding in just over a week, the world is waiting to watch Kate Middleton become a modern princess when she weds Prince William.  So we decided to pay homage to our neighbors across the pond and round up some glamorous royal looks inspired by Buckingham Palace’s golden grandeur.

• Montebello Damask
• Saraceno Damask
• Padova Damask
• Veneto
• Lace
• Not Square

Trina Turk’s fresh originality, bold designs and visual punch are reminiscent of Dorothy Draper’s legendary interiors, which embodied the idea that bigger and brighter was always better.

Dorothy Draper caused a nationwide sensation with her custom-designed cabbage rose chintz for Schumacher. This best-selling pattern began a decades-long collaboration between Draper and Schumacher. The partnership created brilliantly colored textiles, wallpapers and carpets that flourished during the post-war period.

Launched in 2009, Trina Turk’s first collection for Schumacher provided the same uplifting and optimistic use of color that Dorothy Draper’s collections provided after the Great Depression and WWII.

Continuing in this tradition, Trina Turk’s second collection for Schumacher offers a splash of vivid colors and graphic impact to uplift interiors everywhere.

The crisp, clean combination of black and white is one of our favorites. The perfect collaboration lends itself to both modern and classic interiors.

Love black and white? Tell us how you use this color combination…

• Balusters
• Beauty Bark Print
• Camden Cotton Check
• Knit
• Leather Stripe
• Celine Arabesque

Miranda Priestly in the Devil Wears Prada said it best, “Florals? For spring? Ground breaking.” But let’s be honest, there is nothing quite as evocative of warm, breezy days ahead. Find comfort in these timeless motifs and let’s be thankful for their presence as a sign that winter is almost completely behind us.

• Alana Floral Vine
• Centennial Bouquet
• Chickadee Floral
• Isabella Vine
• Lampasso Flori
• Mandarin Peony

Planning to celebrate the first day of Spring with design? Tell us about your favorite floral…

Nautical designs send us sailing into summer, summoning images of white masts fluttering in the wind, crashing waves and sunsets over the horizon. So here is our tribute to the prints and patterns that use the sea as inspiration.

• Carmel Coastline Print
• Coral Vine
• Les Coraux
• Fly Fishing
• Clipper Ships
• Barnet Cotton Check

We are not the only ones going wild over feather inspiration. Check out Garden and Gun’s shared appreciation for an avian aesthetic.

Tell us what you think of The Nest Collection and where you would use it…

With the prolonged winter weather outside we can’t help but daydream of white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters and a place where we can lay in a chaise all day sipping cool cocktails free of stress. A week or two of complete isolation from the real world that leaves us with a sun-kissed and radiant glow sounds ideal right about now.

So why only experience the complete bliss of a tropical escape for a week?

While conjuring images of our perfect getaways we decided there was no reason why a little exotic inspiration shouldn’t have a place in our homes to enjoy year round. Palm trees, coconuts and island foliage are not strictly reserved for tropical hideaways. Create a little vacation reminder all year long.

• Kalaheo Print
• Bora Bora
• Fronds Print
• Zebra Print
• Trellis Print
• Blair House Palm

Fashion and design savvy shoppers are turning their attention toward Spring. New nautical-inspired arrivals and resort collections bring the hope of warmer weather to come. But since it’s still February, we decided that today we would take a moment to celebrate the beauty of winter. So grab a cup of cocoa and cozy up with these fabulous finds.

• Birches in Black
• Twig Stripe in  Silver
• Graphic Panel Stripe in Smoky Silver
• A-Twitter in Winter
• Margaux Linen Embroidery in Winter White
• Quail Meadow in Winter

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles is loving the new mirror trend making its way into every type of home decor from accents on chairs to cabinetry and wallcoverings.

Tell us what you think and where else you are seeing reflections…

The Wall Street Journal looks at the changing tide of top-tier wallpaper companies and asks who is sticking To The Trade and who is crossing into retail? And why?

Tell us what you think of the WSJ’s message…

Get inspired by Black Friday with this round up of  luxury designs from ISuwannee, including contemporary wallcoverings from Schumacher: Imperial Trellis in Onyx Gloss and Balusters in Jet.

In honor of election day, NY Spaces compiled a round up of the hottest red, white and blue products from cutting-edge manufacturers! The votes are in. The editors love Wired in Scarlet from Studio Bon, available exclusively at Schumacher, and Bubbles in Cream from the Atelier Collection.

Read Election Results 2010 from NYSpaces.

Tell us which products in red, white or blue inspire you..